Monday, April 18, 2011

Ischemic bowel disease

Just one more thing for older people to know about--I'd never heard of this condition, but apparently it does affect older people, one article I read said over 60, another over 70.
Ischemia, the noun for ischemic, means a low oxygen state due to inadequate blood flow. Bowel refers to the small and large intestine.
Ischemic bowel disease results from inadequate flow of oxygenated blood to the intestines. The extent of ischemic bowel disease can range from mild to severe based on the amount of damage from lack of oxygenated blood. This is a potentially serious condition and requires care from your doctor.

I received word that a friend was in the hospital, and when I called, I found out she has been in for two weeks, first in ICU, then step down, and she may be transferred to yet another hospital. She became ill at home with vomiting and diarrhea, called a friend to come, but had passed out by the time the friend got there. Another 2 hours delay and she would have been dead.

Read the article. Be informed.

Your Health -

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Inspiring

Although I won't be doing this, it's a good idea! So go after your dream.



HT My thoughts Exactly

Monday, April 04, 2011

Public pension crisis has some bracing for worst

"A recent study of some 126 state-sponsored pension plans by the Center for Retirement Research revealed that assuming investment returns of 6%, the plans will run out of money by 2023 or 2025, depending on their framework.

Assuming an even more generous 8% investment return, the plans will run out of money in 2033 or 2041."

Should you take out your public pension funds and reinvest on your own?
Investment News
"The Ohio House of Representatives is weighing a slate of changes to the state's five public pension plans, including tying the cost-of-living-adjustment to the Consumer Price Index and capping it at 3%, instead of an automatic 3% increase.

Another part of the law would raise contributions by police officers and firefighters to 12%, from 10%, and raise the age at which employees could take their full pension to 52, from 48."

Although I retired at 60, it looks like today you should plan to work to 65 or 70, unless you've put aside other funds, as we had done. I don't regret a minute that I've had those 10 good years of activities and travel I enjoy--on the other hand, retirement is much more expensive than I imagined. I'm thankful I was able to sock away 15% in tax deferred plans, and for many years learned not to use my income which would have resulted in a more materialistic lifestyle.